C-130J News — Super Hercs could be Super Spies

A Coast Guard C-130J

And why not, the Hercules is probably among the most versatile plane ever in the history of ever. I mean, since it was built more than50 years ago, the plane has helped to fight fires, carry cargo, fly in storms, rescue people with the Coast Guard, act as as gun ship, offered support for the Blue Angels and spent some time with the 182nd Airlift Wing which flies the H3 model.

So when I was reading the Air Force Times the other day and saw this, I was thinking, cool beans. From the AF Times:

A transport plane could carry out an intelligence mission while partially loaded with supplies, and if there is an empty return leg, that sortie could be dedicated to a surveillance mission, Gouré said.

Such a capability could be invaluable in Afghanistan, where aircraft equipped with payloads like Senior Scout could free up other assets.

The aircraft would be tasked with general “environmental” intelligence, which would enable more dedicated aircraft to be tasked to their own particular mission set more often, Gouré said.

The Air Force plans to begin flight-testing this month of a new version of its Senior Scout payload for the C-130J.

Now, that doesn’t mean a whole lot right now for the 182nd but it could mean something in the future if we get new planes. It could mean protection somewhat against a BRAC if the wing manages to score new birds or if the H3 models could be tasked with the same intel role. Could Could Could. All means nothing right now but the more you can do, the better you are in this world today.

Author: Andy Kravetz

Andy Kravetz has spent most of the past 16 years covering the area's legal system as well as the military. in that time, he's crawled in the mud, flown in transport planes, and written about a man prosecuted for terrorism. This blog will reflect all those interests and then some.
View all posts by Andy Kravetz

I have been in a C-130 for total of about 10 hours over three flights. It’s loud and not the most comfy flight so I will agree that it is probably hell, but if such a mission could send J-models to Peoria and possibly expand our role here, that’s good when you know they are going to be cutting back one of these days.

Well, people in high places gradually got smart about drilling holes in the sky on two engines while having the other perfectly good engines “caged” Longest SAR case, 14.2 hrs USCG only “E” model , 1414.